The island of calm – a week in Majorca

Imagine a palette with every shade of blue: turquoise, sky blue, navy, indigo, cyan... with a brush stroke, they merge together, creating shadow, depth and light. In Mallorca, the sea is a living canvas. The waves lap at the lush shoreline, with its green hues and bare rock. The cliffs are grey, ochre, red and black. Nature is a mosaic of colour and calm.

In this Collection, I present f eight hikes around the island of Mallorca. They vary in distance and intensity, so you can choose the ones that suit you. If you have a week’s holiday, you could do them all.

The routes lead you to places where the mountains meet the sea. Tall cliffs, undulating canyons, deep caves, mystical coves, and headlands that plunge into the water, as if longing for the embrace of the Mediterranean.

Most of the routes explore the Tramontana mountain range, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011. This idyllic landscape consists of high mountains, river canyons, crystal-clear reservoirs, and dreamy beaches. You also visit places steeped in history, such as the 16th-century tower of Cap Andritxol, the beautiful Es Pontàs rock arch, and the military base at the sharp Punta de El Toro.

In Mallorca, the best way to get around is by rental car. This allows you to reach the most remote places without having to rely on taxis. For this reason, all routes start next to a car park or in residential areas where you can park on the street.

Accommodation depends very much on your preferences, but if you decide to do all the walks, it's best to change your basecamp as you go. This way, you won't have to travel several hours every day. For the Serra de Tramuntana routes, you can stay in the municipality of Sóller, which has lots of options. Then, you can head to Port d'Andratx or Palma de Mallorca, and various towns in Santanyí.

The ideal time for these routes is spring; April and May are the perfect temperature and the high season is yet to begin. I recommend avoiding summer because of the heat and the influx of tourists. In autumn, although the weather is cooler, you can still enjoy the beach. Finally, I don’t advise going in winter because rain can make it impossible to do some of the routes.

In each stage description, I give you more information about access to services. In general, I suggest wearing grippy shoes or hiking boots, trekking poles, and a waterproof jacket. Always carry at least one litre of water and something to eat, such as bars or nuts.

You can get to Palma de Mallorca by plane or ferry. The second option has the advantage of allowing you to board your own vehicle, but travelling here takes much longer than by plane.

Let yourself be enchanted by the island of blues and mountains – enjoy!